Philippines

Roble & Araceli Cortel

On February 25, 2019, New Hope Church (NHC) missionary Ellery Laquihon, who was at that time looking for a lot for sale in Roxas City and surrounding town to start a church, was offered by Engineer Erson Rotulo a 500 sq/meter lot that he owned in Panitan, Capiz, about 15 Kilometers from Roxas City. He had a condition: It must be used to start a church. A few days before, Ellery had met Engineer Rotulo at a Christian businessmen meeting, where Ellery was the guest speaker. Ellery accepted the offer and Usufruct agreement. After a 4-month renovation of an existing abandoned building, paving the lot and putting a cyclone wire fence around the property, Panitan Christian Fellowship of Barangay Salocon, Panitan, Capiz was dedicated to the Lord in a Thanksgiving and Dedication Service on September 8, 2019.

In everything that happened since February 25, to September 8, 2019, God definitely had a hand in each one of them, and He answered all our prayers for a new church in the Province of Capiz, and provided all our needs in connection with it. As a church planted by NHC Missionary Ellery Laquihon, Panitan Christian Fellowship (PCF) is the daughter church of New Hope Church of Oak Lawn in Alsip, Illinois.

Panitan Christian Fellowship called Mr. Roble Dapat Cortel to be their pastor. His wife, Araceli Cortel, is a retired guidance counselor (Capiz State University). They have three adult children, Jullien, Rapha and Jade.

Note: As of October 16, 2022, Panitan Christian Fellowship (PCF) has started a House Church in Pan-ay, Capiz called Pan-ay Christian Fellowship (PCF).